Self-closing joint for vessels.



L. GRANGES.

SELF CLOSING JOINT FOR VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1910.

- WLQQ Patented 0011.4,1910.

Fig.1

gr "'T.ZIZIII;ZTII" I i i i b I l I l I I G ly/f/mm I lama Quay 6s LOUISGRANGES, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

SELF-CLOSING JOINT FOR VESSELS.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs GRANGES, engineer, a citizen of the FrenchRepublic, residing at 25 Boulevard Barbes, Paris, in the Republic ofFrance, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in andRelating to Self-Closing Joints for Vessels, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of this invention is a self-closing joint for vessels of anyand every kind.

Devices of this sort at present in use are generally provided with adoor, or stopper, which must be introduced in a certain position intothe mouth or opening of the vessel so as to fit against the edge of suchopening, where it is held in position by the pressure in the vessel orrecipient. For larger openings the door is held in place by means ofbolts, a system which increases the time required for placing the door,and renders accidents possible through failure to tighten the bolts.

The particular object of this invention is to facilitate and at the sametime render more rapid, the placing of the closure, and also to increaseits tightness and reliability.

In the annexed drawing, which represents a form of construction of theinvention: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a vessel pro vided with theclosing device. Fig. 2 is a section along the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a form of embodiment of the invention for use more particularly invessels subject to great pressures.

The self-closing cover (4 comprises an annular groove 6, the flange c ofwhich is fashioned so as to make spaces cl alternate with full arts. Awasher e, sliding on the body f of the vessel to be closed, is alsofashioned so as to have full parts corresponding to the spaces of theflange in order to penetrate into the interior of the annular groove 6.A packing ring 9 of suitable material, for example of india-rubber, isinterposed between this washer e and the flange h of the vessel.

In order to use the device of the invention, the cover a is placed onthe vessel to be closed, the packing ring 9 is put in position, and thewasher 6 appears under the cover a, so that the full parts penetrateinto the spaces cl of the flanges c, and then lodge in the annulargroove 1). The washer e is then turned so that its full parts rest onthe full parts of the flange 0, thus locking the whole. If a fluid ofany kind under pressure is then Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 24, 1910.

Patented Oct. at, 1910. Serial No. 539,713.

introduced into the interior of the vessel f, this fluid, in actingagainst the cover a, presses it outward, thus compressing energeticallythe packing ring 9 between the washer e and the flange 7L, and effect aclosure which increases in tightness with the pressure in the interiorof the vessel.

When the device is subject to high pressures, the tightening of thewasher e on the flange 71, of the vessel increases, and in this case,there is danger that the plastic packing g be compressed to excess, orcrushed, and escape through the closure. This inconvenience is obviatedby the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 3, consisting of ashoulder 7L arranged below the flange h, forming a stop, and serving tolimit the possible drawing together of the parts 6 and It. The height ofthe flange 7L is such that the plastic packing g is sufficientlycompressed to secure tightness, but not compressed to excess, and thusobviating the above-mentioned inconveniences.

This closing device is of simple and economical construction. Its use isfacilitated by the fact that in order to effect the closing it sufficesto turn the washer e, of relatively insignificant weight, instead ofbeing obliged to rotate the self-closing cover itself. The eflort beingequally spread over all the teeth or full parts of the cover and washer,the reliability of the closure is increased. This device renderspossible the locking by self-closure of vessels of every shape.

The cover a may be provided with suitable working devices, as also thewasher e, and a safety device may be furnished for the purpose ofpreventing the entry of the fluid except when the closure is inposition.

The invention can be used for closing vessels of every kind serving tocontain either liquids or gases under pressure.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is 1. In a self-closing joint for vessels a circular flangeat the edge of the vessel, a cover surrounding the flange and having anenlarged edge extending beyond the flange of the vessel, an annulargroove in the enlarged edge, a washer fitting in the groove and capableof sliding on the body of the vessel, and a resilient packing ringbetween the washer and the circular flange on the vessel.

2. In a self-closing joint for vessels, a circular flange at the edge ofthe vessel, a cover with enlarged edge fitting on the vessel, an annulargroove in the said enlarged edge, recesses cut in the outer flangeformed by the groove, a washer fitting in the groove of recesses cut inthe washer and corresponding to that of the outer flange of the annulargroove, and a resilient packing ring between the washer and the circularflange of the vessel.

3. In a self-closing joint for vessels, a circular flange at the edge ofthe vessel, a circular shoulder between said flange and the body of thevessel, a cover surrounding the flange and having an enlarged edgeextending beyond the flange of the vessel, an annular groove in saidenlarged edge, a washer fitting in the groove and bearing on theshoulder on the vessel, and a resilient packing ring around saidshoulder, between the washer and the circular flange of the vessel.

4. In a self-closing joint for vessels, a circular flange at the edge ofthe vessel, a circular shoulder between said flange and the body of thevessel, a cover surrounding the flange and having an enlarged edgeextending beyond the flange of the vessel, an annular groove in saidenlarged edge, recesses cut in the outer flange formed by the groove, awasher fitting in the groove and bearing on the shoulder of the vessel,recesses cut in said washer, corresponding to that of the outer flangeof the groove, and a resilient packing ring around said shoulder,between the washer and the circular flange of the vessel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto placed my hand at Paris, France,this 31st day of December 1909.

LOUIS GRANGES.

In the presence of two witnesses II. C. Coxn,

HENRY SOI-IWAB.

